I didn’t watch the football game yesterday. But Lisa at Two Babes and Brain did. And she points out a glaring omission:

As yesterday’s SuperBowl opened with the gospel hour…. and our national anthem was desecrated by Aaron Neville and Aretha Franklin…(sometimes lip [syncing] is a “good thing”)… As two of history’s influential ladies were honored, Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King….As we all laughed at the ridiculous commercials that companies paid exorbitant amounts of money to present….and as we all sat and watched these two teams battle it out on the field while eating our hot wings and sloshing down our brewskies… something was obviously missing….

Where were the troops? Where was the honoring of our brave men and women who watched the game from some makeshift building in metal chairs lined up as if they were at a elementary school assembly out in the middle of a desert thousands of miles away from their families and soft recliners?

Reader Mike C. noticed the same thing. He e-mailed:

There was a moment of silence for Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King, then remembrance of the Katrina victims, but NOTHING about the troops.

Debbie Schlussel highlights Air Force Captain Bryce Fisher of the Seattle Seahawks, who was profiled in USA Today. An excerpt:

As an unrestricted NFL free agent, Fisher came home to Washington for the 2005 season. He grew up in Renton, about 15 miles from Seattle, and played his high school ball at Seattle Prep.

Starter and sack leader on his new team, playing in his franchise’s first Super Bowl, the dream-come-true scenario for Fisher is nonetheless tempered by knowing he still has friends in harm’s way.

“The fact is that we get to play a game for millions of dollars and get to play on national TV,” he says. “The reason why is because we have brave men and women who are doing things in places that none of us would ever want to be at.”

Would have been nice if the Super Bowl producers spared a few seconds to recognize them.

Capt. Eric Heath, USAF e-mails:

The co-announcer for the game, ABC’s Al Michaels, did a passing mention that welcomed the troops listening on Armed Forces Radio/Television before the start of the game. I remember saying to myself that they better mention (us), and he did. However, there was no tribute or mention as part of the pre/during/post Super Bowl activities, at least none that were covered on TV….

Capt. Heath and all our men and women in uniform deserved much, much more than a passing mention, don’t you think?

Reader Jon e-mails:

I was at the game (I live in Detroit) and also noticed the lack of recognition of soldiers or veterans.

I attended most of the home Detroit games and at every game they had a vet in dress uniform come out onto the field during a break and receive an ovation. It was always standing and lengthy.

This did not happen on Sunday.

At one point, they did show a young soldier in the crowd and he received a warm applause. But he wasn’t on the screen for more than 10 seconds - probably more like 5.

It bothered me that they didn’t honor the soliders more. They didn’t even mentioned the honor guard - nor introduce them as they do at other games - before that *terrible* National Anthem. My family and I all agree that the presentation of the National Anthem was the worst they had seen since Rosanne’s.

However, other than the officiating, it was the only down part of the event. I am quite proud of the my hometown. Personally, I think it shows that Detroit is capable of greatness - we just need decent leadership.

Reader Shawn H.:

I would just like to point out, however, that all the Super Bowl PLAYERS did their patriotic duty for our troops. The Super Bowl was broadcast to our brave men and women through the Armed Services Network. The players each taped a brief “thank you” tribute to our troops, which ran in lieu of the commercials. The ABC ceremonies were entirely lacking of any respect for our soldiers, but at least the professional football players showed some class.

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